Question

What happens to an athlete's performance in aerobic events the longer they stay at altitude?

a) Performance reaches sea level values
b) Performance drastically improves
c) Performance deteriorates
d) Performance plateaus

Answer 1

An athlete's performance in aerobic events deteriorates the longer they stay at altitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

When athletes stay at altitude, their performance in aerobic events deteriorates over time. This is because at higher altitudes, the oxygen concentration in the air decreases, making it more difficult for the body to achieve the same level of oxygen saturation as at sea level. As a result, the athlete may experience hypoxia, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, disorientation, and lightheadedness. Over time, their bodies may acclimate by producing more hemoglobin; however, this process can take over 10 days. If an athlete remains at high altitude for an extended period without proper acclimatization, their aerobic performance is likely to deteriorate.